Last October, more than 500 people were killed by a truck bomb in the city. Officials blamed al-Shabab but the group never said it was behind that attack.

Image copyrightReutersImage caption
Injured civilians were taken to hospital

The latest incident began when a vehicle failed to stop at a checkpoint outside the presidential palace before being blown up, state media say. This was followed by an exchange of fire between militants and security forces.

Then a parked car exploded near the hotel. However, al-Shabab said it had targeted security forces.

The group said five of its fighters, including the two drivers, had been "martyred" and 35 soldiers were killed in the attacks.

A police spokesman told Reuters news agency: "There were many military soldiers who guarded the street adjacent to the palace."